| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| DEX | 16 | +3 | +5 |
| CON | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 5 | −3 | −3 |
| WIS | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| CHA | 6 | −2 | −2 |
Shapechanger.
The swarm can use its action to polymorph into a pile of ordinary-looking coins or back into its true form. While motionless in coin form, it is indistinguishable from normal currency.
False Appearance.
While the swarm remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a pile of coins.
Swarm.
The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny coin. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Sticky Metal.
A creature that touches the swarm or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained as coins fuse and cling to their body.
Glittering Temptation.
Creatures that see the swarm in coin form must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check to realize something is wrong. On a failure, they have disadvantage on initiative rolls against the swarm.
Death Burst: Shattering Hoard. When reduced to 0 hit points, the swarm violently scatters. Each creature within 10 feet must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) piercing damage on a failure, or half as much on a success.
Afterward, a small number of mundane coins (1d20 gp) remain behind indistinguishable from real treasure.
Swarming Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm’s space.
Hit: 21 (6d6) piercing damage, or 10 (3d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.
If the target is grappled by Sticky Metal, it takes an extra 7 (2d6) acid damage as the coins partially dissolve flesh and armor.
Cascading Shift (Recharge 5–6).
The swarm disperses into a rolling wave of coins and moves up to 30 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. It can move through enemy spaces during this movement.
Description
Once a mundane attempt at magical currency transmutation or a failed experiment in golem animation, the Coin Mimic Swarm is the horrifying product of arcane hubris. Wizards or alchemists seeking to create self-replicating coinage—or treasure guardians—sometimes inadvertently unleashed this semi-sentient horror. The result is a swarm of tiny metallic monstrosities that move as one, capable of devouring flesh and gold alike.
Each coin in the swarm seems ordinary, but they are fused by a malevolent will that twists even the smallest piece into a weapon. The swarm is cunning, preferring to lie dormant among treasures or in abandoned vaults until a victim approaches. Once disturbed, it lashes out, grappling, restraining, and biting with uncanny precision, as if testing the limits of its own creation.
Even in death, the coins scatter—but traces of dark magic linger in them, hinting that the experiment was never truly contained. Scholars who study such swarms speak in hushed tones, warning that the swarm’s unnatural intelligence and collective cruelty make it a cautionary tale of magical ambition gone terribly wrong.
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